94 Explorer Shock replacement?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
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94 Explorer Shock replacement?
Midas just told me that all four shocks were leaking.
1. What replacement shocks should I use on a 2WD with BFGoodRich All-Terrain T/A LT 235/75R15. The 3 ply sidewalls give a very stiff hard ride.
2. How difficult would it be to replace them my self? Are special tools required?
Thanks
Grant
1. What replacement shocks should I use on a 2WD with BFGoodRich All-Terrain T/A LT 235/75R15. The 3 ply sidewalls give a very stiff hard ride.
2. How difficult would it be to replace them my self? Are special tools required?
Thanks
Grant
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 63
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From: SW Fla
94 Explorer Shock replacement?
I just replaced my shocks with Monroe reflex shocks. I guess they are a knockoff of the Edelbrock IAS shock at a much better price. They really made a difference in the ride and handling. In all the "performance" things I've tried in the past, this has to rate up there with the best. You can find them on line for about 35-40$ each.
I can't tell you about a 94, but on my 97 it was rather easy to replace them. About 1 hr. and 2 beers.
I can't tell you about a 94, but on my 97 it was rather easy to replace them. About 1 hr. and 2 beers.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
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94 Explorer Shock replacement?
The explorer is used weekdays for short in city driving. Most streets are OK but a few are out right washboards.
Weekends it will pull a 16' Alumium Bass Tracker fishing boat w/ 40hp motor. I put the BFGoodrich all-terrain A/T for better traction off the boat ramps. In the south they slime-up and get slippery.
No off-road at all.
Thanks
Grant
Weekends it will pull a 16' Alumium Bass Tracker fishing boat w/ 40hp motor. I put the BFGoodrich all-terrain A/T for better traction off the boat ramps. In the south they slime-up and get slippery.
No off-road at all.
Thanks
Grant
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Acworth, GA
94 Explorer Shock replacement?
I replaced shocks on my 92 (same body as your 94). Not hard at all...took about an hour and change. The shocks on these are real easy to get to. No special tools required...just sockets & wrenches, jack, and jackstands.
Last edited by michaeld6638; Sep 17, 2003 at 11:34 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Fayetteville, NC
94 Explorer Shock replacement?
i have allways wondered if there is anything special to changing shocks...i still have factory ones on and i was worried about HOW exactly to do it...i mean i know you just cant unbolt the shock cause it wll decompress real quick lke right? I.E. explode in yo face...whats the trick i have ovbiously never done t...
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Clayton CA
94 Explorer Shock replacement?
There's no trick. Shocks are designed to dampen motion in both directions so they are not "loaded" like coil springs but in fact usually stay benignly in place. Gas shocks will extend when disconnected but they don't take much effort to recompress. To replace your shocks just loosen your lugnuts, jack and support the vehicle (with jack stands on the frame), remove wheels, unbolt old shocks, install new shocks, reinstall wheels, lower vehicle, and torque the lugnuts. Having the suspension extended (by supporting on the frame) will help you if you're installing gas shocks. Doing all four shouldn't take more than an hour or so if you have some decent tools.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Conroe, TX
94 Explorer Shock replacement?
you might want to look in to getting the rancho 9000x shocks for the rear and some cheeper ones for the front. This is how i have my explorer set up and i really do like it. They are adjustale and can be set from feather soft to rock hard. i will set mine a little harder when towing the boat. But they are also great in the city and on the highway when not towing anything. They are expensive, but they also come with a lifetime warenty, and can be adjusted to fit your driving style and needs.
Chris
Chris
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Acworth, GA
94 Explorer Shock replacement?
phoenixx, I think you're thinking about the import strut/spring tower assemblies, which will do exactly that unless you use spring compressors. My brother in law had a little ricer car he was working on one day and didn't heed the warning. Luckily his face wasn't in the line of fire when the top came off it...sending cap, bolt, washer, wrench, etc. 20 feet into the air and into the yard...he had to hunt for awhile to find all that cause he needed it to reassemble the thing...
Our shocks and springs are separate, so we don't have to worry about that sort of thing
Our shocks and springs are separate, so we don't have to worry about that sort of thing
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 265
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From: Fayetteville, NC
94 Explorer Shock replacement?
cool...i still have factory shocks on at 153,000 and it rides decent but new ones cant hurt at this pont...thanks i was a lil worred there about this one...i dont need to do anything with the springs when replacing the shocks do i?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 950
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From: Conroe, TX
94 Explorer Shock replacement?
you dont have to touch the springs when installing the new shocks. In the rear you can doing with out jacking the car up. the front you almost have to because you need to remove the front tires to change the shocks.
Its easy if you can change a light buld you can change the shocks on your explorer.
Chris
Its easy if you can change a light buld you can change the shocks on your explorer.
Chris
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 46
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From: Virginia
94 Explorer Shock replacement?
I would have to agree with Chris. I changed all four shocks on my 93 Explorer and did not have to jack the vehicle on any of the four shocks. The hard ones are in front, but they are really quite benign. You just have to turn the wheels hard in each direction when you install so you can get at the mounting studs. I went with Monroe Sensa-tracs and they were great around town and for some light towing.
Eric
Eric
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: West Chester PA
94 Explorer Shock replacement?
If there's 153k miles, you might want to make sure that you have a grinder, a drill and bit that can drill a 5/8 inch hole and 2 grade 8 bolts, 5/8 X 3 inches. When I changed the front shocks on my explorer (105k miles), the lower stud snapped on both sides. I had to cut it off, grind it flush, drill a hole and bolt the shock on. I hope you don't have to do this, but don't be surprised if you do, and don't let this intimidate you. It's really easy.
good luck!
good luck!